Pneumatic protector for athletes



May 6, 1930. 5, 01";- 1,757,019

PNEUMATIC PROTECTOR FOR ATHLETES Original Filed June '16, 1924 Gmyef 1110..

Patented May [6, 1930 [UNITED STATES] or WASHINGTON, DISTRICT oFcQLU I rNEU'M'A'rIc PRo rEcroRroR Application filed June 16,1924, Seria1 No. 720,428. Renewed September 20,192, 21; 7 J 1 i This invention relates to pneumatic athletic protectors for theupper portion of the body and is particularly adapted for use by foot ball players. 7

In playing the game of football, the greatest number of injuries, as the game is played fat the present time are about the upper portion of the body. These injuries are principally of three kinds :broken eollarbones,

separation of the bones at the joint between. the humerus and the shoulder blade and injury to the joint between the collar bone and the shoulder blade.

Various kinds of pads have been made to I give protection to'these parts of the body, but

these have been of little or no protection unless made so heavy and bulky 'th'at their weight and bulk interfered withthe movementsof the wearer. I V

The primary purpose of my invention is the provision of an improved pneumatic body protector which will be of such construction as to practically eliminate the danger-of the injuries above mentioned and which will be light and will not interfere with the movements of the wearer.

'bodiment,

Another purpose of my invention is the provision of a pneumatic body protector having inflated means embodied in a fabric body portion, the latter fitting the shoulder and back of neck and the former being secured to. the body portion of the protector and cover;

ing, when in place, the top of the shoulder blades, shoulders andcollar bones. i 1

Referring tothe drawing wherein I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of my preferred em:

Fig. 21s aside view'of Fig. 1, f Fig.3 is a cross section on the line3-3 of Fig. l,

r Fig. 4 is a perspective View showing the protector in place on a foot ball player, the neck and shoulder harness being omitted for the sake of clearness. Q 7

Similar parts are designated by the same reference characters throughout the views.

10 designates the body portion ofthe protector which maybe of any suitable material" ders.

movement; f

as drilling. This body portion is preferably i made of two thicknesses and stitched in a portion is U -sh'ape, the inside edge ll thereof being of a size tofittheneck ofthe player when the protector:is inp'laceQ Suitable'fastening means such -asl-eyelets 12"and late 13 areprovided tosecure the pro'tectorabout the. neck. v i

' Asuitableline of stitching 14 is provided toifasten the two thicknesses of the body porenoacn ERNEST MOTT, 0F MALDEN, MASSACHUSETTS, AssrcNoiaro ALTER w. BURNS,

manner' to provide for the inflated means to be described; The general shape'ofthe body 1 tion 10 together and, with'the outer stitched edge '15, to form a pocket 16 to receive "the pneumatic means 17 which is intended'to be inflated tothe desired pressure and which in the present embodiment of my invention is made in one piece and extends about the neck ofE-the wearer and in position'to 'cover the tops of the shoulder blades, the jointsat the shoulders and'the collarjbon'es infronti At suitable places on the outer efldgeofthe protector are attached arm loops 18 which carry rubber tubes 19 to contact with the body under the arms. l i

A suitable means means is inflated, is providedas shown by the by which the pneumatic 1 tube20 on Figs. 1 to 3. Bymeans of a'suitable pump applied to the tube20, the pneumatic means mayv be inflated to the desired pressure after which the end of the tube 20 may be bent and securedin a well known manner. The outer edge of the protector is preferably boundwith a tape or. other suit able binder 21 to prevent fraying.

The forward or front portion of the pneumatic ',means and 1 also i that portion of the pneumatic means directly over the shoulders arepreferably made wider than the rear portions since'these front and side portions cover the points which require the greatest protection. I

The arm loops 18 with the tubes 19 en,

closin thesame, provide a comfortable means for holding-the outer portions over the shoullength: that it fits'neatly but not tightly about.

-the;neck, the;whole protector is prevented Since theflinner' edge l'llis of'such a After the protector isin place, the harness,

with the usual shoulder-projecting cup shape members, is put in place,after which the ersey is put over all. ith such a protector,

greater protection to the body is obtained, at the same time obtaining greater freedom with less Weight. r I

'lVhile I have described and shown an embodiment of my invention, I desire to'have it understood that the showing ismerely il 'lustrative andthat modifieationsandehanges 7 may be made Without departing from the spirit of myinvention and- Within the scope of theappended claims.

Having described my invntionfihat '7 claim and desire to, secure: by Letters'Patent 1. An-ath lletie protector comprisingabody portion; having an eldge of a shape to fit the neckof thewearera continuous pneumatic means secured to the hody portion n spaced "position from the neck engaging edge and-in neck of the wearer, and acon-tinuous pneue positionto' lie above and slightly outside the I shoulder. and collar bone of the; wearer.

2. An athletic protector comprising a body .e

portion, having an edge of. av shape tofit the matie mea-ns'spaced from the: neck-engaging signature.

ectgeiancl secured tothe bod-y portion in position to extend vover. and PTOiQGlitllQfShQHldQI' and collan bone. of the wearer neck of the wearer,- a narrow, continuous pneumatic means secured to thebody portiom and spaced from the neck-engagingedge in position. to extend. over and protect the? tops of shoulder blades, shoulders collar bones of thewlearen p In testimony whereof I GEORGE-ERNEST Morn hereunto my 3 An. athgletic protector comprising abody portion haying an edge: of a shape: tofitthe' 

